Key Fact

Between 2004 and 2009, the express industry’s turnover rose on average by 4% a year in real terms, slightly above the rate of the world economy as a whole

The history of the EEA

On 1 January 2000, the European Express Organisation (EEO) merged with the Association of European Express Carriers (AEEC). This created the European Express Association (EEA), representing the express industry with one single voice at the European level. The Association represents numerous companies in the air express cargo industry, including four of the world’s largest air express carriers, namely DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS.

In its early days, the international express industry was synonymous with on-board couriers, carrying bags of documents on commercial flights. Business users, who were quick to appreciate and exploit these innovative services, saw express delivery exclusively as an air operation. The industry has since changed dramatically. That initial focus on documents has widened into the transport of packages and freight, carried by fleets of fully owned or dedicated aircraft, trucks, trains and delivery vans.

The express industry now plays a critical role in Europe’s continued prosperity. It is a dynamic industry which is engrained into Europe’s broader industrial processes and competitiveness. As such, the express industry is affected by issues which cut across a broad range of areas. The EEA plays a crucial role in contributing to the shaping of policy which facilitates a successful and effective express industry. In turn, this boosts the efficiency and the competitiveness of businesses and of the global economy as a whole.